January 5, 2005
Explanation of Psoriatic Arthritis from Psorasis.Org
As I suffer from two auto-immune disorders I felt I should also include information about the psoriatic arthritis. When you combine the two chronic illnesses it is easy to see that I have my plate pretty full yet am still trying to live as a functioning adult and parent in the world. Some days are better than others however I had not had a pain-free day in almost one year.
Psoriatic arthritis is a specific type of arthritis. It causes inflammation in and around the joints, usually the wrists, knees, ankles, lower back and neck.
Psoriatic arthritis is a specific type of arthritis that has been diagnosed in approximately 23 percent of people who have psoriasis, according to the Psoriasis Foundation’s 2001 Benchmark Survey.
It commonly affects the ends of the fingers and toes. It can also affect the spine. The disease can be difficult to diagnose, particularly in its milder forms and earlier stages. Early diagnosis, however, is important for preventing long-term damage to joints and tissue.
Most people with psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis. Rarely, a person can have psoriatic arthritis without having psoriasis.
What are the symptoms?
Stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints and surrounding soft tissue
Reduced range of motion
Morning stiffness and tiredness
Nail changes, including pitting (small indentations in the nail) or lifting of the nail—found in 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis
Redness and pain of the eye, similar to conjunctivitis
How does it develop?
Psoriatic arthritis can develop at any time. On average, it appears about 10 years after the first signs of psoriasis. For most people it appears between the ages of 30 and 50. It affects men and women equally. In about one of seven people with psoriatic arthritis, arthritis symptoms occur before any skin lesions.
Like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is thought to be caused by a malfunctioning immune system. Psoriatic arthritis is usually milder than rheumatoid arthritis, but some patients with psoriatic arthritis have as severe a disease as patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis can start slowly with mild symptoms, or it can develop quickly. It is very important to have as early and accurate a diagnosis as possible. Left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can be a progressively disabling disease. In fact, half of those with psoriatic arthritis already have bone loss by the time the disease is diagnosed.
Psoriatic Arthritis swelling the fingers and affecting the skin on the hands.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no definitive test for psoriatic arthritis, but the following steps are usually involved:
Person with psoriatic arthritis talks to physician
Physician may refer person to rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis
Diagnosis is done by process of elimination using medical history, physical examination, blood tests to rule out other diseases and X-rays of the affected joints
Posted by Lisa on January 5, 2005 6:49 PM
Comments
I have a history if seizures. Have taken Methotrexate shots for almost 2 years. My last blood tests saw a decrece in the kidney fucntion, so I told the Dr. that I wanted to wean myself off the medicine. It has been about 8 months without the shot and I notice that the psoriasis coming back. I guess my question is is there any safe medicine for me with my present history? Since I have been off the methotrexate I can feel some
changes in my body. I want to prevent further deterioration, but on the other had I do not want to live with seizures. Please help me and give me a clue as to what to do.
Posted by: Gretchen Ryan at April 30, 2007 6:41 AM